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Women collecting shellfish, Nuku'alofa, Tonga

These are urban women collecting a diversity of seafood (shell fish, octopus, crabs, etc) from the reef flats to supplement their meals. Their homes are nearby, facing the waterfront.

This image honours the women of Tonga who go to great lengths to feed their families, especially during a drought, or after a cyclone has stripped the trees (breadfruit, papaya, mangoes, etc) of fruit.

In the background is Fafa (a coral cay) on which there is a small resort. The resort introduces tourist guests to Tongan culture, as well as providing opportunities for diving, snorkelling, whale watching and sailboarding.

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Uploaded on December 19, 2025
Taken on October 2, 2011